At Peace with the Unknown
Sixteen years ago, we were living in Silverstream and had the sense that we were moving, but we did not know where to. We were only in the early years of our marriage, coming together as a blended family, with children still at home, the youngest still at college.
Every five weeks we would go away for a marriage maintenance weekend to somewhere different. At each destination, we were curious as to whether this might be the place. It was not until we booked a weekend escape in Greytown, staying at Country Bliss Air BnB that we awoke on Saturday morning, turned to look at each other and at the same time said “This is it! This is where we are meant to live.” Our shared sense of certainty prompted a visit to the Real Estate agent.
Only weeks later that conversation led to a phone call, telling us about a property that had just come on the market. I remember the day we went to view it. We passed a sign in the paddock which read “Behold I am doing a new thing.” This had been the scripture I had been getting for the past few weeks! We fell in love, purchased that property and made it our home. It has been a great move. We love the area, love the property and love the people. Little did we know that for a season all our children, bar one, plus grandchildren, would be living in Greytown too. So good.
It has been an interesting year so far, for so many of our friends and family. We often begin a year with expectations, hoping for certain things to happen or perhaps for life to remain the same. Yet our expectations can be quickly challenged as we encounter unexpected twists and turns, new adventures, or seasons that require us to adjust. Some changes are exciting, refreshing and life-giving, while others ask us to dig deep, to mentally prepare and faithfully take one step at a time.
The joy of faith in a good God, is trust. With trusting we are filled with peace as we know that He works all things for good and that His plans are so much better than ours. The ability to lay everything down and allow him to lead and guide takes all the stress away. We don’t have to figure everything out because He already knows the plan, the perfect timing, the solution and the appropriate outcome for us.
This is where we currently find ourselves. We came to the place where we feel this is our time to sell. To downsize to a turnkey property that we can just leave and head away on the road. With the pets on board, we look forward to exploring parts of New Zealand we have yet to discover. To visit friends and family scattered around the country and making time to write, paint, draw and read. To enjoy extended road trips while we can.
So, this week, our house is on the market. The first Open Home on Sunday. Which house in Greytown are we moving to? We have no idea and that is just fine. We are in unity and we are at peace. It feels like a good and right decision and we believe the perfect place will be available in its own good time, after we sell. If that property is a little delayed at presenting itself, well then, the first extended road trip will be happening a little earlier than planned.
There is no stress, no worry, no concern for the future. It is all in great hands. Trust is the opposite of fear, it is a great place to reside.
